Showmen Culture Recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage

(eap) Showmen culture at fairs in Germany has been inscribed in the “Nationwide Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage”. With this decision, the German Commission for UNESCO honors the work of around 5,600 showmen families as well as the significance of a fairground culture that has been practiced for some 1,200 years. Across approximately 9,750 fairs nationwide, showmen welcome around 200 million guests each year. Fairs are regarded as places of encounter and social interaction. The bearers of this culture are the showmen families, who pass on their knowledge and craftsmanship from generation to generation while continuously further developing their offerings.

“The inclusion of our showmen culture in the Nationwide Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage is a great honor and thus a strong signal for our profession,” said Albert Ritter, President of the German Showmen’s Association. “It shows that fairs – as well as our beloved Christmas markets – are far more than a leisure offering – they are a central component of our cultural identity. The award is both recognition of our work and a mandate – also to policymakers at municipal, state and federal level – to ensure the long-term preservation of this living fairground culture through reliable framework conditions.” ■